Kim Na-Ri, a half Korean girl living in Seoul.
BTS, the most famous k-pop group under the sun.
She's looking for a new life.
They are looking for an escape...
Maybe they can help each other.
Maybe, just maybe, she can be Bangtan's Release...
...
It was just another summer day in the streets of Seoul. Kim Na-Ri was celebrating her second year living in the city that she had come to know and love. She had moved over from (your country) to teach English to young children.
Her father, that she never knew, was a Korean man who met her mother back in her home country and had a whirlwind romance. He was an exchange student.
Everything changed when he found out she was pregnant. Shortly after Na-Ri was born, he left without a trace. Most likely because his family did not approve of his non-Korean girlfriend, and now half Korean illegitimate child. This explains her very Korean name, although her features don't match.
She had a tradition; every year, to celebrate yet another year in Korea, she would go to her favorite coffee place: The Hello Kitty Café. She would order her favorite cupcake and favorite hot drink.
Today was even more special: she had been successful at an interview with BigHit. Her new job: being part of the staff that is at hand for BTS, whether it is running errands, getting them some water or anything else required. That would include going on tours, fan meets; basically everything. She couldn't believe her luck; she was going to be around BTS all the time!
She was not a hardcore fan; she was more a multi-fandom kind of girl, but she definitely loved BTS's music, concept, and message through their lyrics. She had been fighting loneliness and depression, so it resonated deeply with her.
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"Why did they pick me though?" she thought. "I'm a foreigner. My Korean language skills are decent, but still. There were so many Korean girls there for the same role. I don't get it, but I am not complaining!" she exclaimed.
After her well-deserved stop at the Hello Kitty Café, she set out to go home... She got on the bus and sat at her favorite spot, on the right side. She took out her earphones and started watching a k-drama. Her favorite actor was in it, Kim Ji Soo. She was so engrossed in the story, she almost missed her stop. She rushed out and started walking toward her building.
She lived in a modest apartment that was just enough for her needs. It was small but cozy. Once she got inside, she called out "Hi mom; I'm home!! You'll never guess what happened today!"
No answer.
"Come on, mom, don't be mad at me, I know I'm later than usual, but I'm here now", she said with a smile in her voice.
Still no answer.
She went toward her bedroom and opened the door. "Mom, here you are! You're my only family, so don't ignore me like that".
Na-Ri's eyes watered as she held her mother's picture. Her mom had passed away 2 years ago, back in her home country and the pain was still very fresh. Every day, she would talk to her mother's picture, telling her about her day, her fears, her struggles, and joys.
Na-Ri already had her teaching job, but after her mom passed away, she decided to do something radically different. She had lived a sheltered life, been a good girl in every sense. Then on her death bed, her mom asked her for forgiveness. She had always kept a tight hold on her daughter causing her to be awkward in social settings, she never had a boyfriend, she found it hard to make friends, she was shy.
Her mom was the opposite of her in her youth; maybe she was scared her daughter would turn "bad" like she did. But in her excessive protectiveness, she harmed her daughter and now, she wanted her to live a little, so moving to South Korea was Na-Ri's first step in this direction.
Little did she know where this road would eventually lead her.
